The number of charge point installations is failing to keep pace with surging plug-in vehicle uptake, potentially “draining” drivers’ confidence to go electric.

Only one new charger is currently being installed for every 52 new electric vehicles registered,

New analysis by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has revealed that the ratio of vehicle charge points to plug-in cars fell dramatically during 2020 – down 31% .

At the end of 2019, there was one standard public charge point for every 11 plug-in vehicles in the UK. By the end of 2020, this had fallen to one charger for every 16 plug-ins.

This 16:1 ratio puts the UK among the worst in the top 10 global electric vehicle markets for 2020. South Korea (3:1), the Netherlands (5:1), China (9:1), France (10:1), Belgium and Japan (both 13:1) all offer their EV drivers better coverage, although the UK does marginally outperform Germany (17:1).

The trade association also warns that new charger installations for the first nine months of 2021 have failed to keep pace with plug-in vehicle uptake. Over this time period, just one new standard charger was installed for every 52 new plug-in car registrations.

Cautioning that achieving net-zero requires all drivers to make the switch, including those who depend on on-street parking, the SMMT has called on the Government to take regulatory action to boost public charge point provision.

It says that current investments in public charging, including the £950m allocated in the Rapid Charging Fund to rapid and ultra-rapid charge points, the £620m for zero-emission vehicle grants and infrastructure announced in the Net Zero Strategy, and a commitment that all new build homes will include an electric vehicle charging point, are not sufficient.

Instead, the SMMT is urging for binding targets to be set on charge point delivery, in line with the targets for vehicle manufacturers to deliver products, to ensure installation rates accelerate.

Warning that a deteriorating ratio of public charge points to cars will drain driver confidence to go electric, chief executive Mike Hawes said: “Recent Government funding for infrastructure was welcome but more private sector investment in public charge points is needed across the country. The UK therefore needs a framework of regulation that makes it easier to fund, build and operate electric vehicle charging infrastructure. Consequently we need commensurate and binding targets for charge point rollout and reliability so that all those without a driveway or designated parking can be confident of finding a convenient charger, and one that works.

“Decarbonising road transport is essential if we are to address climate change but it needs a framework that compels all sectors to match the investment already being made by automotive to help consumers decarbonise their lives.”